Attorney Amy Witherite: Red Flags Emerge Just as Elon Musk Plans to Put Robotaxis on Austin Streets

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A dispute between Tesla (TSLA.O) and the Reuters news organization is raising red flags just as Tesla plans to roll out Model Y robotaxis in Austin, Texas, warns attorney and safety expert Amy Witherite, founder of the Witherite Law Group. Tesla’s challenging a Texas Public Records Act request by Reuters for its communications with Austin city officials.

In justifying the request an attorney for Reuters wrote that Tesla's intent to deploy the unproven technology on Texas roadways makes its plans “an issue of enormous importance to Texas and the public at large” and underscored the public’s right to know.

“If there was ever a need for complete transparency it is in the largely unregulated business of autonomous cars and trucks,” said Witherite, whose law firm represents the victims of auto and truck accidents.

According to the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) latest survey on autonomous vehicles, only 13% of U.S. drivers would trust riding in self-driving vehicles – an increase from last year, when this number was 9%. Despite this slight increase, 6 in 10 U.S. drivers still report being afraid to ride in a self-driving vehicle.

“Currently there is no national safety performance standard for driverless vehicles,” notes Witherite. “Regulators have generally given free rein to companies allowing them to test their technology in cities such as Austin at the expense of the public’s safety.

Federal regulators are also asking Tesla tough questions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently sent Tesla a letter demanding additional information "to assess the ability of Tesla’s system to react appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions." The agency opened an investigation in October into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with full self-driving (FSD) technology following four reported collisions, including a fatal one in 2023.

“If Tesla, or any other company, wants to put driverless vehicles on Austin streets they have an obligation to allow the public to be fully informed, especially since there are so many unanswered questions concerning the safety of these vehicles,” said Witherite.

The Texas Attorney General’s office is reviewing Tesla’s confidentiality claims and will determine what if any information can be released.

The Witherite Law Group specializes in vehicle accident cases and offers crucial support for individuals involved in accidents with driverless vehicles. For more information visit their website: www.witheritelaw.com.